View Full Version : Best titanium cook set?
CBSSTony
08-29-2008, 09:39
After many years of toting my old army mess kit and an old aluminum kit I bought at a yard sale too many years ago, I'm thinking of upgrading (if it is an upgrade), to titanium. Been looking a Montbell and Snow Peak. Any input about either or both. Thanks
I use the Snow Peak Ti Mug 700. I freezer bag cook so I don't need a large cook pot. Much better than my old heavy weight cook set.
After many years of toting my old army mess kit and an old aluminum kit I bought at a yard sale too many years ago, I'm thinking of upgrading (if it is an upgrade), to titanium. Been looking a Montbell and Snow Peak. Any input about either or both. Thanks
It's really not an upgrade IMO. I could not get it to heat evenly. Scorches food easier. If you are just heating water they are OK, I guess.
After many cookpots I finally the GSI Soloist and the Dualist. Love this cook pot.
http://www.freezerbagcooking.com/gsiSolo.jpg
http://www.freezerbagcooking.com/gsiSolo2.jpg
workboot
08-29-2008, 09:50
Heres a nice little set up for a fair price...
http://www.rei.com/product/770295?cm_mmc=cse_froogle-_-datafeed-_-product-_-770295&mr:trackingCode=91198EAA-2D75-DD11-873B-0019B9C043EB&mr:referralID=NA
Farr Away
08-29-2008, 10:14
I have the MSR Titan Kettle and an additional 2 pot and a frying pan MSR titanium set (for when there's more than 2 of us). I just got the set so no experience with it yet, but I really like the Titan Kettle. I mostly do FBC though, so your mileage may vary.
gearfreak
08-29-2008, 10:38
I've been pretty satisfied with my Evernew 0.9L (http://www.rei.com/product/764181) (which is now made for REI). It fits inside the AntiGravityGear neoprene case (http://www.antigravitygear.com/proddetail.php?prod=AGNEOC3C) which I use as a cozy. :cool:
Appalachian Tater
08-29-2008, 10:55
Think about what pieces you need. I use an MSR Titan kettle but I have heard of people frying things in a frying pan. If you're mostly going to boil water consider just a small aluminum or titanium pot or even a Heineken or Fosters pot setup.
I have over 10,000 trail miles on my Snow Peak Titanium Solo cup, pot, and spork. Still going strong. Weelll made. Also, have the Snow Peak Giga stove(don't get the piezo lighter because they R too fragile) with even more trail miles on it and it has held up really well.
MSR Titanium Kettle would be my second choice.
CBSSTony
08-30-2008, 08:34
Thanks everyone. I failed to mention that I have the MSR Dragonfly, it has a widely spaced pot holder, and I think some of the smaller diameter pots won't fit. I bought a stainless steel canteen for winter camping so I could melt ice/snow for water. It doesn't fit on there quite right and I have to lean it to get it to work. I have been looking at the Snow Peak mini solo for a couple of years ,but its too small for my stove. For just boiling water trips I use a Jetboil. The Dragonfly has an adjustable flame so I can slow down the sticking and burning I think. I'm looking at the Snow Peak Trek 1400 or Montbell #3.
I use the MSR Titanium Kettle, with my FBC
Nearly Normal
08-30-2008, 20:07
After many years of toting my old army mess kit and an old aluminum kit I bought at a yard sale too many years ago, I'm thinking of upgrading (if it is an upgrade), to titanium. Been looking a Montbell and Snow Peak. Any input about either or both. Thanks
What will you be cooking?
CBSSTony
08-31-2008, 08:58
I have a wide variety of things I eat on the trail. It mostly depends on the situation and any other persons that might be with me and if they have their own food. If its just me mostly soups/stews, one pot type meals. If my grand son is with me its more prepackaged type foods.
Nearly Normal
08-31-2008, 17:12
Take whats applicable.
Auntie Mame
08-31-2008, 22:14
I have liked the Snow Peak 3 piece set, a nesting set of pots with a lid that can be used as a frypan. The fuel canister fits inside the small pot. Nice for heating water for main dish, then in the smaller pot, extra for cocoa or soup or clean up. Or you can have a pot, cup and plate arrangement. I use it with a pocket rocket stove.
i use this bad boy and love it! look at that price mmmmm
http://www.rei.com/product/768513
NICKTHEGREEK
09-02-2008, 08:18
When you say Titanium I think immediately of Snow Peak. The 3 piece set offers lots of utility for a very reasonable price.
so why no takers on the montbell stuff? anybody had problems with it?
so why no takers on the montbell stuff? anybody had problems with it?
Kanga- I wasn't aware Montbell made cooking equip., just checked their site, lots of cook sets. Which one do you have and what do you think about it?
Appalachian Tater
09-02-2008, 11:22
so why no takers on the montbell stuff? anybody had problems with it?Montbell makes beautiful, high quality stuff. It is like Muji for hiking equipment. Their car-camping stuff is amazing.
Really, for a pot, consider cost, weight, proportions, make sure that the finish won't flake off and that you can safely handle it when hot. I started out my thru-hike with a coffee can to boil water in because I couldn't decide on a pot. That worked great but I replaced it at Neels Gap because Liptons stuck to it. Well, Liptons sticks to my $50 titanium pot, too.
Point is, it's a pot, just a metal container for heating water or food in, no matter what other characteristics it has. Not worth agonizing over. If money is an issue and you're just boiling water, use a beer can, a cheap aluminum pot or cup, or a coffee can, a candy tin, the can from beanie weenies.
mtnkngxt
09-05-2008, 10:35
just made the decision and bought a snow peak 900 Ti setup. Will do a write up on how it performs with a pocket rocket next weekend.
gold bond
09-05-2008, 10:46
It's really not an upgrade IMO. I could not get it to heat evenly. Scorches food easier. If you are just heating water they are OK, I guess.
After many cookpots I finally the GSI Soloist and the Dualist. Love this cook pot.
http://www.freezerbagcooking.com/gsiSolo.jpg
http://www.freezerbagcooking.com/gsiSolo2.jpg
A friend of mine had this setup this weekend and the handles tend to get hot and melt. How has this worked for you?
gold bond
09-05-2008, 10:49
Heres a nice little set up for a fair price...
http://www.rei.com/product/770295?cm_mmc=cse_froogle-_-datafeed-_-product-_-770295&mr:trackingCode=91198EAA-2D75-DD11-873B-0019B9C043EB&mr:referralID=NA
Great kettle for heating up water. I could have had that but opted for the new Vargo Titanum. Oh well!
Kanga- I wasn't aware Montbell made cooking equip., just checked their site, lots of cook sets. Which one do you have and what do you think about it?
i bought their ti set a couple of days ago. 7 1/2 oz, bag included. haven't used it yet, just had it recommended to me and can't wait to try it out. just wondering if folks around here had used their stuff.
http://images.channeladvisor.com/Sell/SSProfiles/13000254/Images/1/k1124512BowlDishSet.jpg
Heres a nice little set up for a fair price...
http://www.rei.com/product/770295?cm_mmc=cse_froogle-_-datafeed-_-product-_-770295&mr:trackingCode=91198EAA-2D75-DD11-873B-0019B9C043EB&mr:referralID=NA
That is an awesome deal! If I didn't already have both of those things, I'd get them now.
If you are going to be cooking in the pot, then go with an hard anodized aluminum pot like the GSI or Anti Gravity Gear, as titanium will just burn things. For boiling water, Titanium is great though.
Dental_FlossTycoon
02-23-2009, 16:48
So I just noticed that GSI Outdoors has a new cookset on their web site.
The PINNACLE SOLOIST (http://www.gsioutdoors.com/detail.aspx?a=9&c2=4&p=50143&lu=%2flist.aspx%3fa%3d9%26c2%3d4&), with a super high "Non-Stick" rating, better than their soloist/dualist but the same exact weight.
http://www.gsioutdoors.com/images/products/normal/50143_h1_n.jpg
"Pinnacle
Pinnacle series cookware uses Teflon® with Radiance technology which has been tested and approved expressly for campware use. The secret lies in a specially-formulated topcoat engineered to enhance heat dispersion and virtually eliminate hot spots. Moreover, the three layer coating was built to survive the toughest conditions and boasts an unprecedented level of scratch and abrasion resistance. It’s even safe for use with most metal utensils!"
No price yet, but looks like a superior choice to those planning on using GSI products as cookware.
I think the 1 liter pot is perfect for two people Thru-Hiking, as that would allow for a quick boil of enough water for a shared Lipton meal, and enough water for Cocoa/tea then some left over to wash dishes with. The larger 8oz Iso-Fuel fits inside the pot, along with the stove and small items, all of it locks down nicely.
10.8 oz Total with bag.
Compare the two here (http://www.gsioutdoors.com/compare.aspx?a=9&c2=4&cmp=50143%2c50141&b=http%3a%2f%2fwww.gsioutdoors.com%2flist.aspx%3fa %3d9%26c2%3d4&)
The Pinnacle Soloist MSRP is $39.95.
Here's a video review of the new Pinnacle Dualist.
http://www.backpackergear.net/2009/02/gsi-pinnacle-dualist-first-impressions.html
Looks like it's probably better than the old soloist/dualist, mainly because of the non-stick, but I want to see if it's true about the new teflon having less hot spots. Probably not worth it to upgrade from the previous soloist/dualist if you already have one.
Dental_FlossTycoon
02-24-2009, 11:57
Thanks Zohar, hadn't seen that. It does seem to be an improvement to the old soloist/dualist with some new "Space Age" coating or whatever they're "cooking" up over there at GSI.
The price is nice, non-stick a big plus, weight is almost...and I say hesitantly almost on par with Titanium, but one could argue that you gain more insulation, non-stickiness and scratch resistance with the Pinnacle GSI kit. I'd love to be a tester for this, maybe I'll submit a request to GSI or BackPackGeartest.org to test it out.
That Pinnacle non-stick seems to be good stuff. Heats evenly, and even stuff that is burned doesn't stick to it.
just made the decision and bought a snow peak 900 Ti setup. Will do a write up on how it performs with a pocket rocket next weekend.
this is the setup I use and I think it works well. store a large msr can inside the 900 plus room for a couple of other things. be sure to use the little fry pan as a lid and you'll boil faster :)
Dingus Khan
02-24-2009, 21:09
It's really not an upgrade IMO. I could not get it to heat evenly. Scorches food easier. If you are just heating water they are OK, I guess.
After many cookpots I finally the GSI Soloist and the Dualist. Love this cook pot.
http://www.freezerbagcooking.com/gsiSolo.jpg
http://www.freezerbagcooking.com/gsiSolo2.jpg
ditto, best pot i've used
(alcohol stove and FBC mainly)
I have sold a number of the Soloist and Dualist sets since last year - I have had the 2009 new version as soon as I could get it in stock (back in January).
There isn't a huge difference overall besides the new non-stick lining and that the bowl is semi-see through now. Also comes with a folding Foon as well.
Someone mentioned the handle getting hot? That shouldn't be an issue unless you are using a alchy stove that has high uncontrolled flames. On a canister stove both the S. and D. sets work great. I have used the Soloist on a number of stoves in the past year or so.
I now am using the 09' version - gave the '08 version to Dicentra :)
Either one is worth the money - they work well.
skinewmexico
02-25-2009, 19:18
Used my Primus Eta last weekend for the first time. The pots are heavier, but it was amazing how fast the water heated. You could put your hands around the base of the pot, and barely feel any wasted heat coming up past the heat exchanger.
brooklynkayak
03-03-2009, 20:11
so why no takers on the montbell stuff? anybody had problems with it?
I swear by their 1+ liter pot with fry pan lid. Anything smaller wouldn't work for me.
It is short and wide which works most efficiently on wood or alcohol stoves.
If my wife comes along I can fit a Snow Peak 3 piece set that nests perfectly inside.
We use the Snow peak as coffee cups, bowls and plates and the mont-bell as the cooking pot/skillet for most meals and since the snowpeak set nests inside so well we can use one of them inside the Mont-bell to double boil, bake or steam bake.
brooklynkayak
03-03-2009, 20:15
i bought their ti set a couple of days ago. 7 1/2 oz, bag included. haven't used it yet, just had it recommended to me and can't wait to try it out. just wondering if folks around here had used their stuff.
http://images.channeladvisor.com/Sell/SSProfiles/13000254/Images/1/k1124512BowlDishSet.jpg
I'm not sure, but I'll bet this is the same as the SnowPeak 3 pc set. I did compare the two and they seem identical. A great light set. I'll bet SnowPeak makes them for Mont-Bell.
The big pot would be too small for me, but I think it is a good size for most.
flemdawg1
03-04-2009, 11:07
I have a Snow Peak Trek 1400 set, and for 2 or more, its just enough pot. And pretty light @ 7.4 oz. It'll fit an entire box of tuna helper or enough Cream of Wheat for 5 (2 adults, 3 lil' kids). On the inside I store my butane canister (250g size), stove (Optimus Crux Lite), scrubby sponge and dropper bottle of soap. For the whole family I can nearly fit (~.25" too tall to close completely) my ancient Peak1 stove.
For solo use you might look for a Trek 700.
Dental_FlossTycoon
03-04-2009, 11:10
I weighed all of the data:
*Long Distance so need of Ultra Light
*Enough water boiled for Lipton meal for 2 and Cocoa/tea and water to clean up with and not have the water level in the pot all the way to the top, i.e. 2-3 inches from the top.
*Ability to fry up some meat and/or vegetables occasionally, so some pan of some sort.
*Work well with the 1.5 oz MSR Pocket Rocket Stove
*Stove and fuel fits inside of cookset along with kitchen items such as lighter, spork and tiny scrub pad.
After comparing and contrasting, looking at the many brands.
So I went with the Titanium Snow Peak Trek 1400.
http://www.snowpeak.com/images/back_products/cooking%20gear/trek900.jpg
Trek 1400
SCS-009T
Material: Titanium
Includes: 1400 Pot/ 47oz,Lid/ 5-3/4"diam x 1-1/2"
Stow size:5 3/4" * 5 7/8"
Weight: 7.4 oz
Price: $49.95
The Titan Kettle seemed too small in the store, good for one person jobs, but the lid was a lid and not a pan so couldn't fry on that. The other Snow Peak Kits were either too tiny, or had too many pans and pots in them.
My only concern is stickage of food to the Titanium surface. Anyone have any pointers to keep this from happening other than the obvious "don't burn food" answer? Any spray or olive oil perhaps will help? I've never used Titanium so any help would be appreciated.
Chance09
03-04-2009, 23:21
i'm a big fan of the montbell stuff. I bought the # 1, realized it wasn't quite big enough and went ahead and got the # 2. It boils more with less overflowing and what not. I don't plan on doing much freezerbag cooking. It also fits much better on the pocketrocket, even tho i've switched over to an alcohol stove. With a little practice the frying pan lid is quite handy.